On Saturday 20 May Lions Club Sliema held a Concert and Afternoon Tea in the Phoenicia Hotel ballroom in aid of very poor Philippino children.
The event was inspired by Lions Lilian and Mario Galea and taken on board by the club in the presence of Fr Martin Galea, Rector of MSSP in the Philippines, Fr Karm Debattista MSSP and 2 of the older children who have now grown to become professional musicians Michaela De Guzman Daluyot who plays viola and Carlos Gian Santos who plays double bass. They are on a 3-year scholarship with the Malta Philharmonic Orchestra and Malta Youth Orchestra.
The Filipinos we are helping are children who come from a very deprived area where drugs are rife. Fr Martin Galea has built a centre in the Philippines for the children, where, amongst other things, they teach music and have now developed a full children’s orchestra Michaela, the Filipino Violist, spoke after the concert saying “I will devote myself to music and learn as much as I can here in Malta from musicians in Malta Philharmonic Orchestra. On my return to the Philippines, I will spend all my time teaching the children music at the school” a sentiment echoed by her countryman Carlos.
The stunning concert, given by 2 of Malta’s top musicians, Fiorella Camilleri
(flute) and Anne Marie Camilleri Podesta (Harp), consisting of classical and light music was enjoyed by over 100 guests Prosecco in hand was provided courtesy of the hotel.
Afterwards, everyone tucked into a sumptuous Phoenica-style afternoon tea with delectable sandwiches, scones with homemade jam and clotted cream, and yummy cream cakes.
Fr Martin later wrote “Hello everyone. Many thanks for the good work done
today. May God bless you all.”
